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Most up to date aerial maps: best satellite imagery - 2023
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In this article we will cover the best satellite imagery that provides images of the Earth in high resolution. We have analyzed more than 50 different options and selected the really best of the best. If you want to download HD satellite maps, this publication will be of invaluable help to you.
Table of Contents
Google Earth
Google Earth provides maps with a resolution of up to 15 meters per pixel. The most detailed images are provided by Landsat satellite, which uses 30-meter multispectral imagery.
Accordingly, all Google services related to maps in one way or another (including Google Earth and Google Maps) provide very clear satellite images in HD and allow you to view them both on mobile devices and on desktop.
Google Maps
Google Maps uses multiple sources and satellites to transmit the most current satellite maps. The maximum resolution of images is 15 meters of resolution to 15 centimeters.
All satellite images are updated very frequently and are displayed on mobile and desktop platforms without problems due to the fact that all data is located on Google.
Sentinel Hub
This service can be used to obtain both archived images and to view real time satellite images or taken 5 days ago. Due to the fact that the maps are updated regularly, this portal is one of the best sources for highly detailed maps of the Earth. The source of the imagery is Sentinel-2: it is currently the only satellite that provides maps for free and in HD quality.
The resolution of the satellite images is 10 meters. All images are taken in red, green, blue and near infrared bands.
This service will be useful for developers as well as for educational purposes. Students, researchers, and academics can use Sentinel Hub. The maps will be useful for change analysis, marine monitoring, and polarimetry.
NASA's Worldview
According to Google, NASA's Worldview and USGS EarthNow provide the most recent satellite pictures of the Earth's surface. The maximum resolution is 3 meters per pixel. This may not be the best among similar services, but NASA Worldview updates its data daily, and this is what sets it apart from its competitors.
Maxar Technologies
Maxar Technologies provides satellite imagery of the Earth's surface on a commercial basis. All maps are available to organizations on a subscription basis. The resolution of the maps is 680,000 sq km of 30 cm. This is one of the most impressive figures on the satellite imagery market today.
EarthExplorer
EarthExplorer provides free access to high-resolution satellite imagery. Landsat-8 is used to capture images in aerial view format. This satellite was launched almost half a century ago and is one of the sources of high quality satellite imagery.
In addition to daily satellite imagery, archival photos (e.g., taken about 40 years ago) and digital elevation models ASTER and SRTM are available through this site. In addition, hyperspectral (Hyperion) photos available from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey are also available.
The EarthExplorer service will be primarily of interest to individual users who want to receive daily satellite images. Developers are likely to find this service inconvenient, as all images need to be sorted manually.
Zoom Earth
Zoom Earth is a service for viewing interactive maps and HD satellite images. Thanks to them, you can find out the weather forecast and be aware of natural disasters and cataclysms. Maps are updated every 15 minutes. The resolution of satellite maps provided through Zoom Earth service is 500m per pixel.
Yandex Maps
Yandex Maps service can be used to view satellite maps. Scaling is available for both large and small cities. Maximum detail is available for capitals and megacities. The scale is 1:16000.
SPACE STATION Live view
The Sentinel-2 satellite provides high-resolution imagery in real time. Maximally detailed imagery is available online every 10-60 minutes and is used by public and commercial services. Map data can be used for vegetation and forest monitoring, weather forecasting, and water quality analysis.
Planetscope
The Planetscope service provides highly detailed maps of the Earth. The resolution of the maps is 3 meters per pixel. Among other things, Planetscope maps are updated very frequently - every day within a few hours.
Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem
Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem provides access to Sentinel data. These are primarily satellite images from Sentinel 1, 2, 3, 5P satellites. These data provide the necessary information on air quality, temperature and ecological conditions. All data are displayed on satellite maps, which can be viewed for free by going directly to the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem website.
To view high quality satellite images you need to go to the site, select the desired satellites and use filters to get the final satellite data. Images can be downloaded through the browser by selecting the desired layers on the map.
Additional functions include measuring the distance between two points, searching for geolocation by specified coordinates and comparing two photos.
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I'm Mike, your guide in the expansive world of technology journalism, with a special focus on GPS technologies and mapping. My journey in this field extends over twenty fruitful years, fueled by a profound passion for technology and an insatiable curiosity to explore its frontiers.